The Red Pencil

By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Shane W. Evans (illustrator),

Book cover of The Red Pencil

Book description

Life in Amira's peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when Janjaweed attackers arrive, unleashing unspeakable horrors. After losing nearly everything, Amira needs to find the strength to make the long journey on foot to safety at a refugee camp. She begins to lose hope, until the gift of a simple red…

Shepherd is reader supported.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. This is how we fund the project for readers and authors. Please join our membership program to support our endeavor.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Red Pencil as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Amira is twelve and living in a small Sudanese village. Her biggest dream: to go to school. But then her home is shattered when the Janjaweed attack. These chapters around the attack capture the emotion of witnessing a traumatic event with such power—and all in a way children and adults can both appreciate. With what remains of her family, Amira takes to the road. Her dream of education has never been farther from reality…until a stranger gives her a red pencil. This book in verse is urgent and beautiful in its portrayal of displacement. 

At my first official event as…

From Alyssa's list on refugees.

Want books like The Red Pencil?

Our community of 7,000+ authors has personally recommended 10 books like The Red Pencil.

Browse books like The Red Pencil

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Sudan, refugees, and villages?

7,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Sudan, refugees, and villages.

Sudan Explore 23 books about Sudan
Refugees Explore 101 books about refugees
Villages Explore 88 books about villages